Stability analysis of modular multilevel converters with open-loop control

Modular multilevel converters (M2Cs) require that the controller is designed so that the submodule capacitor voltages are equalized and stable, independent of the loading conditions. Provided that the individual capacitor voltage sharing is managed effectively, an open-loop strategy can been designed to ensure that the total amount of energy stored inside the converter always will be controlled. This strategy, using the steady-state solutions of the dynamic equations for controlling the total stored energy in each converter arm, has proven to be effective. The intention of this paper is to explain in a rigorous way the mechanism behind the suggested strategy, and to prove that, when this open-loop strategy is used, the system becomes globally asymptotically stable.